Your Gallup Fire Department would like to take a moment this morning and remember the 19 firefighters of the Granite Mountain Hotshots who died in the line of duty on June 30th, 2013.
The Yarnell Hill Fire was started on June 28th, 2013 near Yarnell, Arizona. The fire was started by dry lightning. Due to the long term drought in the area and high winds the fire rapidly spread and was erratic in behavior, the temperature on June 30th was 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
On June 30th, 2013 the 20 member crew of the Granite Mountain Hotshots was assigned to the fireline. During the day the fire behavior became more erratic and high winds started to push the fire. One of the members of the crew was assigned as a lookout and observed the dangerous fire behavior. The lookout notified the other 19 members who attempted to escape via an escape route. They became trapped when the fast moving fire cut off their escape route. The 19 firefighters that died were killed by the intense heat and flames.
The Yarnell Hill Fire is the largest loss of firefighters in a single day since the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
Original source found here.
Alerts Sign-up